Nico Collins grateful for how Texans handled contract with a large raise: ‘It’s a business, at the end of the day’

HOUSTON – It was a time for business, and the Texans and Nico Collins took care of that by working out a financial compromise.

Although the Texans didn’t extend the Pro Bowl wide receiver with additional years on his contract, they did grant his request for a market value raise. And that $17 additional million over the next two seasons, paid through a $27 million signing bonus in addition to fully guaranteeing and boosting his 2027 salary to $28.5 million, the stage for a potential market value contract extension down the road.

Collins is happy with the outcome. He acknowledged the importance of securing an upgraded deal. While this round of contract talks on the heels of his three-year, $75 million maximum value extension ran smoothly, things could have gotten bumpy if Texans general manager Nick Caserio and agents Drew Rosenhaus and Jason Rosenhaus hadn’t been proactive about the financial situation.

“Of course, you want to set your family up for long-term,” Collins said. “We know in this business, it’s a business at the end of the day. It’s definitely something that you work hard for. You come into this league to get extended, get contracts. It’s definitely a blessing. It’s definitely motivation for me and this team to continue to chop wood, continue to keep going.

“But at the end of the day, I’m definitely blessed for that. A lot of people don’t get that first, second contract, third contract. It’s definitely rare, definitely a blessing. It’s definitely a great situation for me and my family long-term. I’ve just got to continue to be myself, not making the decision bigger than what it is. It’s a blessing for sure, and I’ve got to use that as motivation.”

Collins’ base salary was lowered to $1.5 million this year, bringing his salary cap figures down to $14.939 million from an originally scheduled $27.517 million. He also has annual $1.5 million in per game active roster bonuses, at a rate of $88,235 per game.

The contract now has $50 million void years in 2028, 2029 and 2030 for salary-cap purposes to prorate the deal.

It’s regarded as likely that the Texans may do a contract extension within the next year for Collins, a Pro Bowl selection.

Collins has a $9 million cash increase this year and an $8 million cash increase next year.

The revised contract reflects Collins’ value and a dramatic increase in average wide receiver salaries across the league.

That includes the Seattle Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($42.15 million), the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase ($40.25 million), the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson ($35 million), the Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb ($34 million), the Pittsburgh Steelers’ D.K. Metcalf ($33 million), the New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson ($32.5 million), the Washington Commanders’ Terry McLaurin ($32.333 million), the New England Patriots’ A.J. Brown ($32 million), the Detroit Lions Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30.002 million), the San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk and then Collins at $30 million annually.

Originally ranked 18th in average compensation per year for 2026, Collins is now due $30 million total this year. He ranks 11th in terms of annual average per year and will be 10th once the 49ers officially move on from Aiyuk.

“It means a lot,” Collins said. “It’s a blessing, especially being in this league. To be able to get the third contract with one team, that means a lot. It doesn’t happen often coming across this league. But it’s definitely a blessing. It’s underrated. I can’t speak more highly about it.

“But I’m definitely thankful to the organization, the Texans, for giving me this opportunity to come out here another year, another two years to go out here and show myself and show my abilities. I’m blessed for that.”

In the first season under offensive coordinator Nick Caley, the Texans averaged 23.8 points per game, ranking 13th in the NFL in scoring offense. They finished 18th in total offense, 14th in passing offense and 22nd in rushing offense.

The running game struggled to complement the passing attack after Joe Mixon missed the entire season due to a foot injury involving an infection that ultimately required surgery. With new running back David Montgomery in the backfield, there should be more balance overall and more options for Caley as a play-caller.

“Absolutely, you got to take one play at a time,” Collins said. “We know what our mission is. We know where we want to go. At the end of the day, we got to take one play at a time.

“We’ve got to move the sticks. We’ve got to continue to put points on the board for the defense because we know the type of defense we’ve got. So, I’m excited about this year, second year with Caley, and let’s rock.”

Collins’ value was underscored by his absence during the playoff game due to a concussion.

He caught 71 passes for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season on 120 targets.

Not having a prototypical 6-foot-4, 222-pound wide receiver with 4.44 speed in the 40-yard dash dramatically changed the equation for the Texans’ suddenly ineffective passing game.

A concussion meant he couldn’t play in an AFC divisional round playoff game against the New England Patriots his team ultimately lost. As tough as it was on him and as much as he didn’t think his season would end because of an awkward landing on his head against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Collins took the moment to reflect with deep thoughts about the future.

However, Collins has decided at this time to not wear a protective Guardian cap on his helmet to prevent potential future concussions. He plans to work on his upper body to be stronger to absorb hits better. He’s of the opinion the Guardian cap would hamper his game.

“For sure, I’ve thought about it,” Collins said. “A lot that goes into your brain. You only get one. You’ve got to take care of it. It’s definitely a thought, but I feel like for me I’ve got to work on my spinal cord, my neck, and just work on my strengthening of my shoulders and everything around it. I can’t wear a Guardian Cap.

“I’m a receiver. I’ve got to find the ball, track it and everything. I’ve got to do a better job of doing shoulders, upper body exercises, whatever I need to make sure contacts, I’m good. I’m not worried about that.”

Watching from the bench area at snowy Gillette Stadium, Collins watched as quarterback C.J. Stroud uncorked an uncharacteristic four interceptions in one half of a 28-16 defeat. Normally accurate, Stroud had several misfires as he went 20 for 47 for 212 yards, one touchdown pass and a 28.0 passer rating.

As off as Stroud was, Collins could have potentially steadied the damage. Playing without Collins — and losing Dalton Schultz, the team’s leading receiver during the regular season with 82 receptions — proved too much to overcome.

Collins previously called Stroud a “man on a mission.” He sees a difference in the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“C.J., he’s one of a kind,” Collins said. “He’s a leader. He’s poised and he’s ready to lead every single day. You see it in the meeting room and on the practice field. He’s coming in with a mission and a chip on his shoulder. That’s who you want as a quarterback. You’ve got his back 100 percent of the way and he knows that. He’s going to ride for you.

That’s how it is with everybody. He’s QB1. You’ve got to take care of him. You’ve got to love him. That’s how it is. I can’t wait for this year. Can’t wait for this season for everybody. I feel like there’s so much at stake. The sky’s the limit for both sides of the ball and I can’t wait for this season to get rolling.”

Now, Collins is determined to elevate his game even further.

“Not get complacent, not get comfortable, continue to find the things I need to improve on,” Collins said. “Even though you have success, it’s still not good enough. Continue to aim for the stars and continue to be the best version of yourself every day.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com .